We regularly survey BuyerZone users to ask how their purchases went. We've used their responses to provide a sampling of actual prices paid for payroll services.

In this article we're comparing prices for small business payroll services – both single employees and 2-9 employee businesses. Also see payroll service pricing for businesses with 10 to 150 employees.

Based on the information we received, here are some points to consider about pricing:

• Most services small businesses need are included in the basic monthly costs: paycheck processing, online account access, tax filing, and direct deposit are all usually standard.
• Prices can range from $20 to $150 per month depending on the frequency of payroll and the number of employees. Per-check fees, if applicable, range from $0.75 to $2 or more, and additional fees for adding new employees, check delivery, and extra reporting are typical. Make sure you get a full breakdown of all fees before you commit to a provider.
• Payroll service vendors charge higher prices for more frequent pay periods.

Prices for 1 employee

"Full payroll service $25 per pay period (bi-monthly); $35 for year-end filings."

– Retailer, Hudson, Massachusetts

“First month free, then $9.95/mo for 3 months, and $10/week after that. Direct deposit included; also all state & fed tax forms.”

–Retailer, Portland, Oregon

“$51 per month, online entry, all taxes and forms, and full training.”

– Advertising/Marketing/PR, West Jordan, Utah

“Approximately $20 per month for all services including year end and quarterly filings.”

– Brokerage/Securities, Vienna, Virginia

“$18/month. No extra charge for quarterly filing and year end reports.”

– Real Estate, Cupertino, California

“$10 per week plus $1.50 per check.”

– Other Business Services, Deep River, Connecticut

"Full tax filing services, direct deposit and all normal full service features for 1 employee for $13/month (first month free)."

– Business services, Florissant, Colorado

Prices for 2-9 employees

“Went with Paycycle.com - they offer a monthly fee-based service, not payroll-based, and we’re able to process as many payrolls each month as we wish to for that one monthly fee. In our scenario, it's costing us about $23 each month, compared to at least double that amount with the other suppliers, who base their fee on each payroll processed (and we do two each month).”

– Insurance, Garland, Texas

“$33.95 per payroll period including workers comp, tax filing, etc.”

– Manufacturing, Aurora, Ohio

“$7.50 per check includes all Human Resources advice and biweekly paychecks. Does not include deposits to government; Does include payroll reports required.”

– Other Business Services, Andover, Connecticut

“Free for first month, $9.99 for next 2 months, $25-$42/month thereafter.”

– Media/Entertainment/Publishing, Orem, Utah

“$20 per payroll, but the vendor was able to process our payroll quarterly, not monthly, and that was the deciding factor.”

– Education, Liburn, Georgia

"Full service payroll, payment of all state and federal taxes, W-2, 1099, and all year-end tax statements for $31 per month."

– Consulting, Orinda, California

“$133 per month. Local service, handbooks, and customer service.”

– Other Retail, Shreveport, Louisiana

"First month free. Months 2 & 3 $9.99/mth. Each month thereafter $24.99. For up to five employees. Includes unlimited number of payroll transactions per month, direct deposit, processing of all taxes, printing of checks, email communication with employees. Contract is month to month."

– Education, Henderson, Nevada

"$45/mo for four employees. Biweekly pay, envelopes stuffed with signed checks, direct deposit, monthly and quarterly statements for record keeping, and payment of income taxes with all liability on them."

– Insurance agency, Brownstown, Michigan

"$45.55 per pay period for a bi-weekly payroll including tax service, direct deposit and garnishment.  Section 125/POP is $25 per month, W-2's are $35 plus 3.50 per employee, and workers' comp is $120 per year."

– Nonprofit, Cambridge, Massachusetts

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